The Department of Economics held its Fall 2025 Graduate Assistant (GA) Training Workshop on Monday, October 13. Offered each semester, the workshop brings together faculty and GAs to share practical guidance on effective teaching, classroom management, and student engagement.
This semester’s session featured presentations by Professor Chihwa Kao, Professor Jackie Kai Zhao, and Professor Tianxu Chen, who leads the GA training program and teaches Econ 6492: Teaching Economics. Professor Kao shared insights from his extensive teaching experience on creating engaging classroom environments and encouraging active student participation. Professor Zhao discussed strategies for fostering meaningful learning through constructive feedback and helping students reflect on their progress. Professor Chen highlighted approaches for promoting active learning and building supportive classroom communities, drawing on her experience teaching large undergraduate courses.
The workshop also provided GAs with an opportunity to exchange experiences and reflect on ways to enhance their teaching effectiveness. It continues to serve as an important platform for developing pedagogical skills, building community among graduate instructors, and reinforcing the department’s commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching.